Osasuna stun Athletic in extra-time to reach Copa del Rey final
Pablo Ibanez's superb volley helped Osasuna stun Athletic Bilbao in extra-time to reach the Copa del Rey final with a 1-1 draw on Tuesday, progressing 2-1 on aggregate.
Athletic dominated throughout and only a sensational display from Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera and profligate finishing forced the match to extra-time. Inaki Williams struck in the 33rd minute to cancel out Ez Abde's first-leg strike for Osasuna, but Athletic could not find a winner, and Ibanez stroked home from the edge of the box with four minutes remaining to shock San Mames.
Ibanez's effort helped Osasuna reach the Copa del Rey final for the first time in 18 years, and only for the second time in their history, with the club yet to lift the trophy. Jagoba Arrasate's side beat Real Betis and Sevilla on their spectacular cup run and will face either record winners Barcelona or Spanish and European champions Real Madrid in the final on 6th May.
"Right now, I have no words, we were suffering like dogs all through the game. (This goal) is for all those fans up there shouting, it's something that can't be explained," Ibanez told 'Movistar'.
"We knew that it could happen, that they could score against us. We suffered, we kept working and in the end we got our reward. Now that we are here we have to dream and go for it. I don't care if it's Madrid or Barca, we'll keep dreaming."
Both of their previous cup games went to extra-time, along with their round of 32 clash with Gimnastic, in which Ibanez was sent off.
Athletic have reached the semi-finals four seasons in a row, but have not lifted the trophy since 1984. They have lost six finals since their last triumph.
"We had so many chances for the result to go our way, but in football sometimes these things happen. We're very sad, messed up, we will try and pick our heads up and come back," said Inaki Williams.